Mycotoxin Regulations for Foods: A Global Update

Mycotoxin contaminated food is of concern to public health with implications for global trade. Consequently, several countries have laid down regulations or guideline/tolerance levels for the most important mycotoxins namely, aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, patulin, zearalenone, T-2 toxin and fumonisins. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAe) has been examining this problem in its endeavor 10 harmonize regulations. This communication gives an update on the status of the existingregulationsin various countries,an overviewof the health hazardof each mycotoxin,followedwitha discussionon the role of theCAC in providing a platform10 come to a consensuson the maximumpermittedlevels in foods.